Entsch off to New York, then back for gay marriage bill

WARREN Entsch will cut short his secondment to the United Nations in New York to bring a private member's bill to parliament calling for same-sex marriage, regardless of the postal vote's outcome.

The Leichhardt MP leaves for the US tomorrow for a three-month posting.

But he said he would return before the end of the final sitting week in November to bring forward a Bill that would legalise gay marriage but allow ministers to refuse to marry a couple if it was in conflict with their religion.

Mr Entsch said he would bring the legislation even if the postal survey, which he has called a "Mickey Mouse opinion poll", came out in favour of the "No" vote.